SLAM Magazine, along with a recent infrared modeling shoot, have together shifted my thoughts of modeling photography.  I must admit that I had avoided modeling work for some time, which can feel more like production and less like art.  Either you are highly technical with your lighting setup, or your know a lot of Photoshop gimmicks and trickery; or perhaps both.  Rarely does anyone do a modeling shoot without an after-thought post-production style.   In the digital era, every time their is an original idea, you can hear an army of copy-cats stampeding in (especially with modeling).  Further, getting yourself noticed through a plethora of opportunist perverts made me stay away.

I’ve enjoyed shooting models this past year, but rarely include them in my portfolio.  However, the pressure began mounting from preparing from preparing for art shows; modeling shoots are a fun opportunity to play with new lighting, editing, and composition techniques in a low pressure environment.  With commercial and wedding clients, I have to stick with what I know works well; further, my classic series, Florida Noir, shot with medium format film at long exposure settings, restricts me, to a certain degree, from this level of experimentation.

SLAM Magazine: A New Challenge

My view of modeling photography is turning around after receiving a challenge from SLAM magazine, a new Central Florida magazine that has recently exploded onto the local art scene in Orlando.  Oh do I love a challenge.  Amoe Rose and Lady Grace, two editors at S.L.A.M. magazine, approached with an idea for a Steam-Punk themed shoot at the Historic Amtrak Station in Winter Park, Florida.

We had to shoot two days later, with another two days to edit and have them ready.  Not only would I have to explore a concept and style new to me, but I would have a very short deadline to visualize, shoot, edit, scout, and execute a series of professional quality images.  I couldn’t spend weeks editing and playing with new techniques; but I couldn’t do the same-old either.  Working with tight deadlines didn’t phase me too much, however, from my years as a photojournalist with FSView newspaper in college.  I was slightly  timid because I had never heard of Steam Punk (don’t hate me).

What is Steam Punk?

Here is Wikipedia’s definition of Steampunk.  Basically, think ‘League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ style, with a blend of Victorian, Contemporary, and Futuristic era clothing styles and technology; with an special focus on blending of new technologies, .  For instance, a computer may have brass trims and red velvet exterior.  Apparently, there are entire subculture, including trade fairs, dedicated to the genre.

Especially because I didn’t have access to such elaborate props on short notice, Amoe (of SLAM) and I decided to go with more of a modeling edge rather than a strict Steampunk theme.  Many people would slap sepia tones over the photos, but I decided for a more modern look.  Amoe chose the Historic Amtrak station in Orlando, just south of downtown.  Built in 1926, it has more of an Old Florida feel than a Steampunk feel, but given my history taking the Florida Noir series, this was right up my ally.  How could we cross the typical Steampunk look with a classic Florida landscape?  The pictures speak for themselves.

The Photoshoot

On the final Wednesday of February 2010, I arrived on the scene a few hours early before anyone arrived to scope out the place.  The light was bright and harsh, and quite cloudless.  I recalled a recent shoot in Coco Beach, where I witnessed some beautiful puffy clouds.  Luckily, I always shoot clouds just to insert into photos from occasions like this: where I must get the job done, and don’t have time to return again and again for the perfect natural shot.  We had about 2 hours to shoot in multiple locations, without enough time to regroup heavy lights, so I decided on my set up 580EXII strobes and TT5 PW triggers.  With lighting this harsh, and very strong winds, I had to forget the umbrellas and softboxes.  Just straight bare, gelled hotshoe flashes.

Later, I watched as multiple models were tended to by multiple make-up artists.  Several assistants were on the scene to hold and carry the flash units as needed.  Amoe Rose of SLAM also modeled for this shoot, who I had recently worked with on a modeling infrared shoot in the woods.  Also, Hugo Boss model Tania Sierra was on the scene, with black dress and birdhouse on her head.  Awesome!  Many new faces were running around, but it was good to have a few familiar faces to introduce me around.

Amoe and I walked around and scouted the area again, and I proposed some locations; she added many good ideas and vantage points.  She also took me through some amazing props, including a school desk (don’t know how she got that into a sedan), stuffed birds, and a bible.  Awesome.

When we began shooting, we were a little behind schedule.  Everyone gave some great ideas, and I fired away at various poses.  The light was dropping quickly, and the harsh sun was half blocked by the buildings in the horizon.  We started moving locations quicker, and the modeling were jumping on and off the train.  The assistants were moving around with the wireless flash units, including on and around the train as well, which helped fill in the shadows from the sun.

The sun quickly dropped, and the shoot was over; but Amoe and I kept shooting Tania in a rustic stairwell I had seen early that afternoon, which were some of my favorite photos.  Finally, I filled up the flash cards, and we called it a night.  With one day to edit and a day job, I hadn’t planned on sleeping.

Post Processing

Originally Tania was going to assist me with editing, but their wasn’t enough time for a consistent look and workflow to combine our efforts.  So, I stayed up all night achieving the look I wanted and blending in the skies form Coco Beach.  I’ve learned alot about my workflow and speeding up Lightroom since then, and wouldn’t have spent quite the same effort today to get this look, but without high pressure, time contrained assignments like these, I just wouldn’t get better behind the computer screen.

Under the criticism of my fellow photogs, I do not share my post processing techniques on the internet, but perhaps one day I will change this policy.  I will, however, answer specific questions you email to me or comments on this blog.  However, I will be sharing some of these techniques in my upcoming workshops, where I believe one-on-one is more valuable.  But more on that later.

Only a few days later, I finally saw the spread and loved it!  For my last minute efforts to help with the shoot, SLAM gave me a full 4 page spread just for my work.  They also put in a nice plug about my up coming exhibition at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, which reminded me about how far behind I was preparing for the festival.

Overall, my view of modeling photography has changed.  Perhaps I can carve out a style of my own in this genre.  Only time will tell.  Please also check out SLAMs Website and newsfeed to support your local artists.